DIA Automotive

Marek Sambor (Mr. C)

★★★★★

6 years ago

I was away on vacation for the week that my wife had planned for my birthday. During our stay in the area I had my engine light come on. After getting it checked at Autozone and getting the part we looked for a mechanic to do the work. I called ahead and made arrangements to bring my car in on my birthday and they would do their best to have it done by lunch time. I got there early and they had me out the door after 1 hr. And I have not had any issues since. They understood that I was not local and they did everything they could to make me feel comfortable and valued so that I can enjoy the rest of the day that my wife has planned for me. Thank you guys for getting me done so quickly.

Nick Raimondi (Primary Business)

★★★★★

12 years ago

DIA does amazing work. I take all my cars that need anything done to their shop in Virginia beach. I live about 45 minutes away but the service and honesty this shop provides is top notch. I had to get a timing belt and water pump service done to my Lexus and they got it done in a timely manner at a reasonable price. Thanks DIA!

Aron Wilms

★☆☆☆☆

7 years ago

First time Service was one of the most unprofessional encounters I have ever dealt with. I chose DIA because of location close to where I worked. I took my son's truck in for a State Inspection on Thursday morning 15 minutes prior to store opening at 8am. Store was late opening and the manager apologized for being open late. I asked him when the truck would be complete. He told me it would be in line with the other cars. I just called him the day prior and he quoted me that appointments are not made for Car Inspection and they are first come first serve, hence why I was there promptly the next day. So I get a call on Thursday at 530pm that my car need a bulb but would be ready for pick up. I informed him I would pick up at 8am Friday and that I had to be dropped off to get it from work. I also informed him that his was during my working hours. When I get there, the car was not ready. Did not have the sticker on it. The manager then gave me his sob story of 60 hours a week and he was having a bad day. I then informed that I would not use their services in the future and he went off on me! I calmly showed him his "Tech Net Professional auto Service Mission Statement" and he asked me to leave. I told him I would write multiple reviews and he said so what it would not matter. Reading other comments it seems auto service are legitate, maybe it just the Desk Manager is the issue, obviously he does not care about constructive feedback and has poor communication skills! Buyer beware!

Dan C

★★★★★

10 years ago

Phil and his team at DIA are the most trustworthy and honest group of mechanics I've ever dealt with. They have the resources and equipment to completely repair about any/all make and model of vehicle out there. I highly recommend the shop to anyone and will always bring my business to them before anyone else.

Rosemary

★☆☆☆☆

Edited 2 years ago

Worst customer service ever. Condescending front desk man. They had my car 3 weeks and all I was left with is a bill, vague diagnosis and a greasy paper mat. Should have trusted my gut with initial phone call. Never again. Update: took car to an electrical car repair and they are fixing the problem. Diagnosis from DIA was totally bogus.

Stephanie Gobbi

★★★★★

7 years ago

So thankful that my boyfriend and I found this place to take our cars to after moving here from Texas. I'm always skeptical of auto shops because I fear being taken advantage of. I have never once felt like that about this place. They always do a fantastic job while getting you the best price possible and really take care of their customers. Thanks DIA!

Tammy Hopkins

★★★★★

a year ago

I went in to have front/rear brake pads replaced. I was treated with the utmost respect and service was fast as well as reasonably priced. I will definitely return for any future work; I highly recommend this business. Thank you!!!

Melissa Namowitz

★★★★★

4 years ago

Top notch service and very fair pricing. I called around to have my breaks serviced and not only did DIA offer competitive pricing in VA Beach but they completed the job fast and were super friendly. Definitely will be coming back for my future automotive needs! Thanks y’all!

Thomas Phelps

★★★★★

4 years ago

Brought my hinky dinky wired 85’ E30 in because I could not figure out why it was not charging and half my cluster lights weren’t coming up including my battery light. They managed to fix it and get it working how it should even with the mess of wiring the previous owners did. Very nice guys and will definitely be bringing my car here for future inspections and other fixes. Very reasonable pricing and it only took them 1hr to find the issue.

Brandon Minter

★☆☆☆☆

Edited 2 years ago

I’ve been here 3 times and it has been some problem every time. The first time I chose them because it was the closest to my house and the lady (Karen) that answered the phone was nice and seemed the most professional. Unfortunately, they did not have a certified mechanic to do a state inspection so I ended up having to get my truck inspected somewhere else anyways. No biggie. They were supposed to do an oil change, fix a horn issue, and the windshield wipers. Total ended up being $977.54 which was higher than anywhere else, but I needed to get it done. They got the job done, I got it home, and realized that the issue with the windshield wipers were not fixed. While the transmission was working again, the wipers were stopping halfway in my field of view. This would not pass inspection. I called them back and Jarrett answered the phone. He said I could bring it in again and they would fix it since it was their fault, but it ended up taking the entire day and I was without a vehicle again. They ended up fixing it. Round 2, I had an issue with my tire and decided to have my truck towed to DIA. One of the wheel studs had snapped while I was on the interstate. I brought it in and after 4 hours I got an estimate that it was going to be $550. Turns out they quoted me for nearly double the labor because they were going to take off other wheels that didn’t need to be fixed. On top of that, their parts were DOUBLE what the auto parts store half a mile away had the in stock for. I called back to see if they would price match them or I would walk to to the store, buy them, and bring them myself. Instead of just simply saying they weren’t willing to do that, Jarrett decided to treat me like a toddler, raise his tone, and give me a lecture on why “that’s not how business run.” He told me that I wouldn’t go to the grocery store and buy food for a chef to cook (As if that were a comparable example). I decided to call every shop on Lynnhaven and ask if their prices for lug nuts and studs were higher than advanced auto if I could just bring them. EVERY ONE said they would just price match if it wasn’t cheaper. I get that DIA may not have that flexibility, but that doesn’t give Jarrett the right to take out his anger on a customer, especially one that planned to be exclusive to DIA as long as I live here. When I explained I didn’t appreciate being spoken to like that, instead of apologizing, I got hung up on. So I took bike up there and sat in the office until the repair was done. Still no apology, but he took 20% off the labor since they “messed up last time” with my wipers. Then he tried to continually explain his position instead of just apologizing while I sat there. He wanted to lecture me on how a business is run. When I told him I run a business myself, he told me then I should know better. Well I do know better. I treat my customers with respect and do my best to help them. Apparently the owners at DIA don’t want Jarrett to do that.

Amber Halt

★★★★★

a year ago

Thank you so much for your honesty and hard work! My car sounds and drives perfectly now that you have fixed it. Thank you Jarrett & Percy! ** Save your time searching around and just go to DIA, if you want your car fixed properly!**

ELTD Management

★★★★★

2 years ago

I have been taking my cars to DIA for over 10 years, a few times I have gone to other shops becasue they were closer or more convenient but I always regret it. Jarrett and his guys have always gone above and beyond for me and everyone I have ever referred to them. They have completed tons of small to medium jobs for me at fair prices, all the way up to basically a full drivetrain replacement on a warranty claim for me.

B Witcraft

★★★★★

3 years ago

I have been going to DIA for 8 years now. I wouldn’t take my vehicle to any other shop in Virginia Beach due to DIAs reliability and knowledge. I had to have my engine replaced and they did a fantastic job. I’ve had my power steering go out and they had me back on the road within 72 hours which was immaculate due to the amount of work that had to be done. Every aspect about this place is amazing. From the professionalism, to the work, to the knowledge is absolutely outstanding. Jarret is a real life saver when it comes to information. It’s hard to find a place nowadays that you can rely on without getting ripped off or having to return with the same issue. This place has my business till the day I move from here. As for the bad reviews on here, I can tell who is at fault and it isn’t the business. Keep up the amazing work DIA. See you again soon.

Jeff Fox

★★★★★

a year ago

Hybrid Car would not start and had multiple warning symbols showing. In less than a day, they diagnosed that it WASNT the large Hybrid Battery but the auxiliary 12V battery. They replaced that and now it is back to running normal. Great work and communication. Highly recommended.

Peter Williams

★☆☆☆☆

11 months ago

On March 24th I called DIA Auto and spoke to the Manager about my flat tire on a 2022 Stingray Corvette. This was my third nail in the rear tires and thus the Manager knew me. Right away he starts rambling on that the only way he could accept fixing the flat tire is if I were to leave my car with him all day as he was not going to put my car ahead of other customers as he put it "I am not going to put a $20 dollar deal ahead of other more expansive deals". I was taken aback and I thanked him and hang up the phone. On the 26th of March my wife and I dropped off the car at DIA at about 9:00 AM. She drove her car and I dropped off the Corvette. The Manager made it clear that once the car was done that he would call me. At 3:00 PM I had an appointment to do my taxes with H&R Block and I decided to call the Manager to let know that, and also ask how close the car was to getting done. The manager came out very defensive stating why I called to check on him and that he would call when the car was finished and if I needed the car that I should go get it right now. I replied that I didn't need the car for anything, I only called to find out if the car was done and if not would he be able to fix the flat tire by close of business which was 5:00 PM. We ended the call and I was thinking that I am dealing with a person with an attitude bad customer service. What ever happened to Friendly and convenience as advertised on the website. Anyway, once we hang up the phone I didn't know whether he was going to fix the flat in time two hours to closing. I got done with H&R Block at 4:00 PM and I went home. It was 4:15 when I got home and had not received a call from DIA Auto as of yet so I told my wife to drive me to DIA as I suspected that the Manager would wait at the last minute to call me and I wouldn't make it by 5:00 PM. On the way to DIA while I was driving my wife's car a text message shows up on my phone at around 4:20 stating that the car was ready. Twice he told me that he would call me and then instead texts me. I got to DIA with 1 minute to spare. As I was leaving the building he stated that the tire had a manufacture defect and that I should inform the dealer where I bought the car. I didn't quit understood what the defect was but I left as my wife was waiting. The next day in the morning of 27 March I decided to call the DIA Manage to ask him how to recognize the defect. i.e. do you have to remove the tire from the rim, is this defect an eminent safety issue? etc... Well, the manager once more spoke his mind. He started rambling... why I called him and ask these questions, at one time he said "do you want me to call your dealer" and finally he said "please don't come back here any more" and hung up the phone. Those were his last words.

Carlos-Funda Fernandez

★★★★★

7 years ago

Best performance mechanics in town. I recently got my timing belt change on my Subaru. I am very happy with the job they left my car like brand new. Thank you Francisco and Phil.

LANCE WRIGHT

★★★★★

5 years ago

I wanted to share my story as to why DIA earned every ounce of loyalty from me. I was on the hunt for a new mechanic shop after I got completely ripped off elsewhere where I lost a lot of money and was told I’d have to drop thousands more for a fix I was convinced shouldn’t be more than $800. I then stumbled upon DIA and I got my car fixed up perfectly and the price was under what I was expecting by a great deal. I am also slowly learning to play with my car more and I had been aspiring to put together a naturally aspirated build for my Saturn Sky. I then came back to DIA, trusting them with my car for my next mod project. I’ve had 6 other shops try working on my car and EVERY single shop gave me my car back with something broken. Nobody knew how to take care of my car since it’s not common and something always came back cracked, missing pieces, not put together right, and everything else under the sun. When I got my car back from DIA, not only was my car given back to me in the condition I left them with it, but I got the car back with an additional 25 whp and 8 more torque. Which was right smack in the middle of my estimated range of gained horsepower for a naturally aspirated build. I’ve gone back to that shop I believe a few more times after that. This shop has the nicest family running the shop. The family inside are so nice, they genuinely take care of your car, and I’m moving a bit further away soon, but you want to guess what shop I still plan to continue driving 40+ minutes away to go see every time? You guessed it, it’s DIA. Seriously, they’ve earned my trust. My friends have already noticed I am going to DIA for everything now. One buddy began taking his Toyota MR2 into that shop, my girlfriend will be dropping by early next year with a big list of mods she’s bought for her 370z, and I’d tell anyone else to go to DIA. Thank you so much for the help guys. I became paranoid giving my car to shops as I hated seeing metal bent, parts missing, cracked parts, and worse when dropping my car off with other shops. It’s nice to know a local shop cares so much and does such high-quality work. I can’t say thank you enough for making this man so stupidly proud of his old Saturn Sky.